Method of recovering sugar from masse-cuite.



H. A. VALLEZ. METHOD OF RECOVERING SUGAR FROM MASSE CUITE.

APPLICATION HLED JAN. ll, 1916.

1 ,204,61 7, Y Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

2% J? INVENTOR ATTORNEY HENRY A. VALLEZ, F BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

METHOD OF RECOVERING SUGAR FROM MASSE-GUITE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

Application filed January 11, 1916. Serial N 0. 71,461.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY A. VALLEZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Recovering Sugar from Masse-Cuite; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

This invention relates to a newv method of straining or filtering and pertains more particularly to an improved method of recovering sugar from masse-cuite in the manufacture of beet sugar, and for similar purposes.

The objects of the invention are to provide an inexpensive and efficient method of separating substances such as brown sugar from the fluids in which they are contained, such as molasses, and my improvement pertains still more particularly to an improved method of manipulation, whereby the process of recovering brown sugar from massecuite and preparing the brown sugar for re-processing is simplified and rendered less expensive, requiring a minimum of apparatus,.repairs.and attendance.

In order to better set forth the purpose of my invention I will first describe briefly the method commonly used for recovering sugar from masse-cuite.

In making beet sugar, beet juice is first cooked to obtain syrup. The syrup is boiled in a vacuum pan, yielding a mixture of sugar crystals and molasses, called No. 1

masse-cuite. The No. 1 masse-cuite is then put into a centrifugal machine and the molasses is whirled out, leaving white sugar in the machine. The molasses from the centrifugal is then boiled and crystallized, yielding brown sugar crystals and molasses in a thick mass, this mixture being called No. 2 masse-cuite, and my improved method is particularly adapted to the treatment of this substance, as will be explained later.

In the usual process the No. 2 massercuite is put into a centrifugal machine and the molasses whirled out, leaving brown sugar in the machine. The molasses is taken away and the brown sugar, after being delivered from the centrifugal machine is re-dissolved by water or by thin beet juice. The brown sugar solution thus obtained is then returned to the vacuum pans along with a new supply of thick syrup and is Worked over again through the process.

It will be noted that in the treatment of the No. 2 masse-cuite, as above described, it was first whirled in a centrifugal machine to recover brown sugar; the sugar was then removed from the centrifugal machine and subsequently re-dissolved. In the ordinary beet sugar factory this required the installation and maintenance of a large number of centrifugal machines, absorbing a large amount of power and requiring expensive renewals and repairs and constant attendance. The re-dissolving of the brown sugar required the installation of expensive tanks and mixing devices.

It is the purpose of my present improved method to enable the masse-cuite to be put through both operations, that is, taking out the molasses and re-dissolving the brown sugar, all in one vessel and without rehandling the material; and in addition to enable the sugar to be cleansed by washing after the molasses has been removed from it and before it is re-dissolved, this additional step of the process also being effected without re-handling the material.

With the above and certain other objects I in view which will appear later in the specification, my improved method comprises the steps and manipulations that will now be described, and the equivalents thereof.

To illustrate one means by which my method may be carried out, I have shown diagrammatically in the drawings a filter or straining machine having revolving filtering elements, by means of which the various steps of my improved method may be conveniently carried out, but it. is to be understood that the particular mechanism herein shown and described is not essential to my invention, because any other construction or arrangement of apparatus capable of properly manipulating the liquids would be'within the spirit of myinvention. The method is even capableof being carried out by manual operation.

I will now describe the various steps of my method, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which, as already stated, show one form of apparatus adapted to the carrying out of that method.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram: matic part-sectional view of a filtering or straining machine of well-known construction adapted to the treatment of masse-cuite by my method. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of one of the straining or filtering elements of the machine showing the accumulation thereon of a uniform layer of sugar crystals. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same, indicating one way by which the screen surfaces may be alternately immersed in and removed from the masse-cuite.

' 1 indicates a closed vessel or container, within which is mounted a number of movable filter. elements 2, preferably secured to a revoluble hollow shaft 3, the interiors 4 of the filter elements communicating with the shaft 3 and forming an exit for the molasses that is separated from the massecuite.

5 is an inlet, through which masse-cuite is introduced into the container 1, and 6 is the outlet, through which the residue massecuite may be discharged from the container.

7 is an inlet for the introduction of compressed air, and 8 is an inlet for the introduction of water vapor, either in the form of steam or water atomized.

In the'carrying out of my method, the container is first filled with masse-cuite and the inlet 5 is closed. The movable filter elements 2 are then revolved by means of the hollow shaft 3, or otherwise, and air under pressure is introduced through the inlet 7, forcing the masse-cuite against the screen surfaces of the filter elements. The molasses passes through the screen and the crystals of brown sugar are deposited on the screen. As the filtering proceeds the level of the masse-cuite in the container recedes while the layers of sugar crystals on the screens increase in thickness.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, 9 represents the accumulating layer of sugar crystals which, by reason of the continual im mersing and removal of the screen surfaces in the masse-cuite, is maintained of substantially uniform, but gradually increasing thickness, over the entire surface. If the screens are revolved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, that part of the screen designated 10 is continually rising out of the masse-cuite and the part designated 11 is continually being dipped. During this operation the air pressure is maintained in the container 1 and continually forces the molasses of the adhering massecuite through the layer 9 into the hollow .interior 4 of the filter elements 2 and out through the hollow shaft 3. When most of the masse-cuite has thus been disposed of any that remains in the bottom of the container 1 is discharged through the outlet 6 and the outlet is closed. The layers 9 of sugar remain adhering to the surfaces of the screens and are next washed by water vapor introduced through the inlet 8, or otherwise,

the air pressure forcing the water vapor through the accumulated layers of sugar crystals to cleanse them. The sugar is next put into solution ready to be returned to the vacuum pans, by shutting off the air pressure and the water vapor and introducing fresh water or beet juice into the container 1 and agitating as by revolving the filter elements. When the sugar is all dissolved the resulting solution is withdrawn from the container 1.

By the method above described I am enabled to rapidly and economically separate the substance commonly known as No. 2 masse-cuite into molasses and brown sugar solution without the use of centrifugal machines and without the necessity of removing the sugar from the container or re-handling it. I am also enabled to produce a better grade of sugar solution because the intermediate step, consisting in the thorough washing of the sugar crystals by means of water vapor while the crystals are still on the screen, produces a cleaner sugar.

This method, as previously noted, greatly reduces the cost of recovering the brown sugar, since it renders unnecessary the installation, maintenance and attendance incident to the use of centrifugal machines and furthermore enables the screens to be automatically cleaned at each operation, the

cleaning being efi'ected by the process of redissolving sugar while still in contact with the screens.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The herein-described method of recovering sugar from masse-cuite comprising first, placing the masse-cuite in a container having a screen therein and applying air pressure to the masse-cuite on one side of the screen; second, alternately immersing and withdrawing the screen while still under pressure, todeposit on the screen a layer of sugar crystals of practically uniform thickness; third, washing the crystals while on the screen; fourth, converting the washed crystals into sugar solution by introducing into the container a liquid solvent and dissolving the crystals while agitating the screen surfaces in the liquid solvent.

2. The herein-described method of recovering sugar ifrom Tmasse-cuite comprising first, placing the masse-cuite in a container having a screen therein and applying air pressure to the masse-cuite on one side of the screen; second, alternately immersing and withdrawing the screen while still under pressure, to deposit on the screen a layer of sugar crystals of practically uniform thick ness; third, forcing water vapor under pressure through the crystals on the screen; fourth, converting the washed crystals into sugar solution by introducing into the container a liquid solvent and dissolving the crystals While agitating the screen surfaces in the liquid solvent.

3. The herein-described method of recovering sugar from masse-cuite comprising first, placing the masse-cuite in a container having a screen therein and applying air pressure to the. masse-cuite on one side of the screen; second, alternately immersing and Withdrawing the screen While still under pressure, to deposit on the screen a layer of sugar crystals of practically uniform thickness; third, removing the remaining massecuite; fourth, forcing water vapor under pressure through the crystals on the screen; fifth, removing the pressure; sixth, converting the Washed crystals into sugar solution by introducing into the container a liquid solvent and dissolving the crystals While agitating the screen surfaces in the liquid solvent.

In testimony whereof I aflix in presence of tWo witnesses.

HENRY A. VALLEZ.

my signature Witnesses:

" N ELLIE M. ANGUS,

JOSEPH V. CARPENTER. 

